Stretch ribbon for ballet shoes

ABSTRACT

A ribbon capable of being connected to a ballet shoe and wrapped around the ankle of a person wearing the ballet shoe to secure the ballet shoe to the person, wherein the ribbon is made of a material that can expand and contract, and wherein the ribbon is capable of remaining snug against the ankle as the person moves their ankle with respect to their toes.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No.60/695,225, filed on Jun. 29, 2005, which is incorporated herein byreference as if fully set forth.

BACKGROUND

Ballet shoes come in two main styles, flat shoes and pointe shoes. Flatshoes are used for performing different techniques (also calledtechnique shoes). Flat shoes include a sole and a body to protect andsupport the foot. The flat shoes may be made of durable yet flexiblematerial, such as leather and/or canvass. The flat shoes provide thefoot flexibility (e.g., allows the foot to fully extend, allows jumpingand turning). The flat shoes may include a ribbon connected to the bodyof the shoe that is used to wrap around the dancers ankle to secure theshoe to the dancer's ankle or for aesthetics. The ribbons may be made ofa nylon material and be difficult to tie and remain tied as the dancerperforms.

Pointe shoes are used when a performance requires the dancer to stand ontheir toes (en pointe). It is almost impossible and not advisable tostand on ones toes without a pointe shoe. Pointe shoes includestructural features that allow the dancer to dance on the tips of theirtoes.

FIG. 1 illustrates several views of an example prior art pointe shoe100. The shoe 100 includes a sole 110, a body 120, an opening 130,binding 140, a box 150, a shank 160, and ribbons 170. The box 150 is astrengthened material (e.g., layers of paper or burlap that is stiffenedwith glue) that encases and supports the dancer's toes. The box 150 isflattened into a platform 180 (e.g., squared off) upon which the dancercan balance. The shank 160 is a strengthened piece of material (e.g.,layers of glue-hardened paper, leather, plastic, fiber glass) added tothe bottom of the shoe and running near to the length of the sole 110.The shank 160 provides support to the arch of a dancer's foot as shestands en pointe. The body 120 may be formed of a material (e.g., satin,canvas) that wraps around the box 150 and the sole 110.

The binding 140 is used at the opening 130 to receive the foot and isusually a cotton or synthetic blend of material. The binding 140 mayinclude a drawstring 145 for tightening. The drawstring 145 can be madeof either elastic material or non-stretch cotton.

The ribbons 170 are connected to the body 110 and extend out of theopening 130. The ribbons 170 may be part of the shoe 100 or may bepurchased and secured (e.g., sewn) to the shoe 100 separately. Theribbons 170 are used to secure the shoe 100 to the foot. The ribbons 170may be wrapped around the dancer's ankle and tied (knotted) at the backof the foot or at the inside of the foot under the anklebone. Theribbons 170 may be made of a nylon or satin material. The ribbons 170may be difficult to tie and remain tied as the dancer performs.Furthermore, the location of the knot may move as the dancer performs.The knot may be held together by wetting the ends or accessories may beused to hold the knot together and/or in place. The knot also can besewn so that it does not become untied.

As the dancer is performing the ribbon 170 may become tight while thefoot is in certain positions and loose while the foot is in otherpositions. FIG. 2 illustrates an example of how the prior art ribbon 170may be situated on a dancers foot during different positions. The leftimage illustrates the dancer on their toes (en pointe) and the ribbon170 being tight both across the top of the foot 200 as well as aroundthe front 210 and back of the ankle 220. The right image shows thedancer having their feet flat on the floor (plie) and the ribbon 170being loose on the top of the feet 200 and the sides 230 of the ankle.

Furthermore, the ribbon 170 does not flex so it may dig into the dancerfoot and/or ankle and cause a cut, blister or nodule at or near thatpoint. Moreover, in extreme cases a ribbon may become so tight that itacts as a tourniquet and restricts blood flow.

A tight ribbon may also restrict the dancer's movement. For example, theribbon may restrict movement of the dancer's ankle and not permit theheels to come down completely in the “plie” position. Not putting theheels down time after time will cause inflammation to the Achilles(large tendon at the back of the ankle that connects the large calfmuscles to the heal bone) area as well as contribute to the tendency ofenlarged calf muscles. This may be particularly harmful if the dancerhas a short Achilles tendon or a stiff foot construction.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of prior art shoes restricting movement ofthe ballet dancer. The left image illustrates the dancer en pointe 300and the right image illustrates the dancer attempting to shift to plie310. However, the ribbon restricts the dancer's movement and preventsthe heel 320 from laying flat on the floor 330.

The continual movements of the dancer feet in classical ballet betweenen pointe, (on the tips of their toes), demie point, (on ½ toe or theball of the foot), and plie (keeping feet flat on the floor and bendingthe knees) may overuse/overstress the ankle tendons. Theoveruse/overstress may cause tendonitis or produce a nodule. Pressurefrom a tight ribbon exacerbates these problems and can cause bursitis.

A ribbon that is easier to tie and is flexible so as to secure a dancersfoot in the shoe but not too tight so as to restrict movement orotherwise hurt the dancer is desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the various embodiments will becomeapparent from the following detailed description in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates several views of an example prior art pointe shoe;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of how the prior art ribbon may besituated on a dancers foot during different positions;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of prior art shoes restricting movement ofthe ballet dancer;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example ballet shoe incorporating an elasticribbon in multiple positions, according to one embodiment; and

FIG. 5 illustrates an example ballet shoe using elastic ribbon providingincreased range of movement to the dancer, according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A ribbon that has elastic properties is proposed to replace the priorart nylon or satin ribbons that are used for wrapping around a dancersleg to secure the shoe to the dancer and support the dancer's foot andankle where needed. The elastic material will stretch and retract as thedancer performs so as to remain snug against the dancer (top of theirfoot and ankle). The elastic ribbon should not gap (or move away fromthe foot or ankle) or become excessively tight as the dancer moves.Accordingly, the elastic ribbon should not dig into the dancer causingcuts and/or blisters, act as a tourniquet and restrict blood flow, orprovide additional pressure on the dancer's foot thereby exacerbatingankle/foot problems caused by ballet dancing.

The elastic ribbon may be provided with the ballet shoes. The ribbon maybe secured to the shoe permanently (e.g., integrated into the body ofthe shoe) or temporarily (sewn or glued to the body of the shoe). Ifglue is used, the ribbon would be placed under the shank, glued and thensewn down to prevent the ribbon from slipping in case the glue did nothold. Alternatively, the elastic ribbon may be separate from the shoe soas to be connected (e.g., stitched, sewn) to the shoe by or for thedancer.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example ballet shoe 400 incorporating an elasticribbon 410 in multiple positions. The elastic ribbon is snug against thedancer's foot 420, ankle 430 and leg 440 in both positions. There are nogaps and the ribbon is not excessively tight at any point. The elasticribbon 410 can be used for both pointe and flat ballet shoes to securethe shoe to the dancer.

The elastic ribbon should increase range of foot motion (prevent thedancers movement from being restricted). For example, it should help theheel release (come down completely) when coming off pointe to a plieposition. Allowing the heel to release reduces strain on the Achillestendon.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of the ballet shoe 400 using the elasticribbon increasing the range of movement of the dancer. The left imageillustrates the dancer en pointe 500 and the right image illustrates thedancer shifting to plie 510 and having the heel 520 laying flat on thefloor 530.

According to one embodiment, the elastic ribbon is made of nylon andspandex. For example, the elastic ribbon can be about 70% nylon andabout 30% spandex. The elastic ribbon may be able to expandsubstantially when the ribbon is stretched. For example, the elasticribbon's stretch properties may be such that it can be stretched out toover approximately 1.6 times it normal unstretched length. Since theelastic ribbon is capable of stretching another benefit is that ashorter length of ribbon is needed to keep the shoe tied to the dancer.

According to one embodiment, the elastic ribbon is ⅞ of an inch wide.Each piece of ribbon is approximately 18 inches long, with two piecesneeded per shoe (four pieces total for the dancer).

The elastic ribbon may easier to knot. Moreover, the knot in the elasticribbon may be less likely to come undone or shift due to its stretchproperties. Accordingly, the elastic ribbon may not need to be wet to betied nor sewn. Also, accessories may not be needed to hold the knottogether and/or in place.

Although the invention has been illustrated by reference to specificembodiments, it will be apparent that various changes and modificationsmay be made. Reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means thata particular feature, structure or characteristic described inconnection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment.Thus, the appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “in anembodiment” appearing in various places throughout the specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

The various embodiments are intended to be protected broadly within thespirit and scope of the appended claims.

1. A ribbon capable of being connected to a ballet shoe and wrappedaround the ankle of a person wearing the ballet shoe to secure theballet shoe to the person, wherein the ribbon is made of a material thatcan expand and contract, and wherein the ribbon is capable of remainingsnug against the ankle as the person moves their ankle with respect totheir toes.
 2. The ribbon of claim 1, wherein the ribbon is made of anelastic material.
 3. The ribbon of claim 1, wherein the ribbon is madeof a combination of nylon and spandex.
 4. The ribbon of claim 3, whereinthe ribbon is about 70% nylon and about 30% spandex.
 5. The ribbon ofclaim 2, wherein the ribbon is capable of being stretched a substantialamount.
 6. The ribbon of claim 5, wherein the ribbon is capable of beingstretched to a length of at least approximately 1.6 times the ribbon'slength when it is not in a stretched state.
 7. The ribbon of claim 1,wherein the ribbon is connected to the ballet shoe at of near a bindingformed in an opening to receive the foot.
 8. The ribbon of claim 7,wherein the ribbon is sewed to the ballet shoe.
 9. The ribbon of claim1, wherein the ballet shoe is a pointe shoe.
 10. The ribbon of claim 1,wherein the ballet shoe is a flat shoe.
 11. A ballet shoe comprising abody having an opening for receiving a foot; a sole; and an elasticribbon connected to the body near the opening, wherein the ribbon isused to securer the ballet shoe to an individual wearing the ballet shoeby wrapping the elastic ribbon around the ankle of the individual, andwherein the ribbon is capable of remaining snug against the ankle as theindividual moves their ankle with respect to their toes.
 12. The balletshoe of claim 11, wherein the elastic ribbon is made of a combination ofnylon and spandex.
 13. The ballet shoe of claim 11, wherein the elasticribbon is capable of being stretched a substantial amount.
 14. Theballet shoe of claim 11, wherein the ribbon is connected to the balletshoe at of near a binding formed in the opening.
 15. The ballet shoe ofclaim 11, wherein the elastic ribbon is sewed to the ballet shoe. 16.The ballet shoe of claim 11, wherein the ballet shoe is a pointe shoe.17. The ballet shoe of claim 11, further comprising a box to encase andsupport the individuals toes; and a shank to support to the individualsarch.
 18. The ballet shoe of claim 11, wherein the ballet shoe is a flatshoe.
 19. A method for securing ballet shoes to a ballet dancer's foot,comprising wrapping an elastic ribbon connected to the ballet shoesaround the ballet dancers ankle, wherein the ribbon is capable ofremaining snug against the ankle as the person moves their ankle withrespect to their toes.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the elasticribbon is made of a combination of nylon and spandex.